MLB Rumors

Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey remains in the ninth-inning role after blowing his latest save but earning the win Tuesday against the Rays in the nightcap of a doubleheader, the Providence Journal reports.

Manager John Farrell said after the game that Bailey remains the team's closer for now, "but there's work to do."

Bailey blew his third save Tuesday and has given up five runs over his last four appearances.

The Red Sox optioned hurler Alfredo Aceves to Triple-A Pawtucket following his win in the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday against the Rays, WEEI.com reports.

Aceves improved to 4-1 on the season with five innings of one-run ball in a start cut short due to a rain delay. His ERA is at 5.05.

The Mets traded pitcher Collin McHugh to the Rockies Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Eric Young. McHugh and Young recently were designated for assignment, so neither team loses a player from the active roster.

McHugh has a 10.29 ERA in seven major-league innings this season, while Young hit .242 with a .642 OPS in 165 at-bats for the Rockies.

Athletics starting pitcher Jarrod Parker turned in a solid outing as he earned his sixth win of the season Tuesday night against the Rangers. Parker (6-6) limited the Rangers to just two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four in seven innings in a 6-2 win.

Parker has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last five starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday at Seattle. He is 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA in two starts against the Mariners this season.

Twins closer Glen Perkins mowed down two batters in the ninth inning for his 17th save Tuesday versus Chicago.

Perkins went 1-2-3 in the ninth in a 7-5 win, as he needed only 13 pitches to complete his inning. His ERA is down to 2.36.

He has earned saves in six consecutive appearances and seven of his last eight since blowing his second save on May 28 at Milwaukee. He's 17 for 19 with 38 Ks over 26 2/3 innings.

Twins starter Mike Pelfrey scattered 10 hits over six innings Tuesday against the White Sox. Minnesota pulled out the win, but Pelfrey settled for a no-decision.

Pelfrey gave up four earned runs and didn't walk a batter over 87 pitches and six frames. He struck out three and was hurt by Conor Gillaspie's two-run homer in the second inning. His ERA is 6.11.

Pelfrey, 29, has lost his last three decisions and hasn't won a start since May 5 at Cleveland. He's given up at least three runs in five consecutive outings and his record remains 3-6. He'll look to earn his fourth win when he starts Sunday in Cleveland.

White Sox starter Dylan Axelrod didn't have the sharpest outing Tuesday in Minnesota.

Axelrod scattered 10 hits over six innings and 114 pitches as he gave up five runs -- four earned. He walked two and struck out five. Chicago lost 7-5, but Axelrod took a no-decision.

The 27-year-old hasn't won since May 26 against Miami. His record remains 3-4 with a 4.39 ERA, but he's given up 10 earned runs over his last two outings spanning 10 innings with four homers allowed. Axelrod will look to turn it around when he next starts Sunday at Kansas City.

Braves starting pitcher Paul Maholm pitched well enough to win Tuesday against the Mets, but his offense and bullpen let him down in a 6-1 loss.

Maholm allowed just two runs in seven innings, but the Braves didn't score until after he left the game. He tossed six scoreless innings to open the game, allowing just a two-run homer in the seventh inning.

Maholm allowed just the two runs on nine hits and no walks, while striking out seven. Despite the solid start, Maholm was saddled with the loss in a 6-1 final. He is 7-6 on the season with a 3.57 ERA.

Maholm will make his next start Sunday against the Brewers in Milwaukee. 

Rays second baseman Kelly Johnson homered in the top of the ninth inning Tuesday night in the nightcap of a doubleheader in Boston. Johnson's 11th homer tied the score at one.

Boston won the game with a walk-off homer by Jonny Gomes in the bottom of the ninth.

Johnson finished 2 for 3 with a single and is batting .252 on the year. He's gone 3 for 6 in his last two games but just 3 for 15 in his last five.

Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes played the hero in the second game of a doubleheader against the Rays Tuesday.

Gomes went deep in the bottom of the ninth for a walk-off, two-run homer, his fifth homer of the year. Gomes won the game for Boston after closer Andrew Bailey blew a save in the top of the ninth.

Gomes finished 1 for 4 with two strikeouts and is batting .209 for the year. The 32-year-old has bursts of production, but he has mostly been cold this season. That said, he's homered twice in his last three games with three RBI.